Category Archives: writing

Why to Think Twice About Bypassing Unpaid Internships

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This article originally appeared on The Daily Muse: read it here

In a competitive job market, internships are a great way to beef up your resume with real-world experience. As an intern, you land a short-term opportunity to work in your field, and that experience can help define the direction of your career. Plus, an internship is a fast way to expand your knowledge and add new contacts to your professional network.

Put this all together, and internships equal one very important thing: getting a job.

But what they don’t always amount to is a paycheck, at least not right away. Depending on how an internship is structured, you might get paid, you might get college credit, or you might get, well, nada.

And as you review your credit card bill, tuition statements, and other expenses, the idea of not having an income might seem daunting. But before you write those unpaid opportunities off, read on for a few reasons why companies don’t pay—and what you could stand to gain from them anyway.

Supply and Demand

Some businesses don’t pay their interns because (gulp) they don’t have to. If you’re seeking experience with a highly sought-after or prestigious organization (like MTV Networks or Clear Channel Communications), there’s likely a long list of people vying for the opportunity, and for good reason. The unpaid factor can be worth it in exchange for getting your foot in the door for a potential opening, accumulating great work samples, or gaining expertise that’s going to look awesome on your resume.

Non-Profit Means Non-Profit

If you’re seeking to intern with a non-profit organization, some may not pay you because, quite simply, it’s not in the budget. Same goes for start-ups. Organizations with limited funding can be in a tough spot when it comes to adding extra payroll—but that doesn’t mean it won’t be an awesome opportunity to get hands-on experience at places like the American Lung Association or Planned Parenthood.

Work Now, Pay Later

Some businesses use internships as a “trial period,” planning to hire most or all of their interns after a successful semester or summer. For them, it’s good—by the time you finish school and are ready to start working, you’re already trained and familiar with the company. And for you, it’s great—you get a job lined up pre-graduation. One example of where this occurs is Goldman Sachs: In 2011, almost 90% of new hires were former interns. (Also check out this list of top U.S. companies who hired interns in 2011.)

So before you dismiss an opportunity because it’s unpaid, consider what you might gain from it that will last a lot longer than money. Ask yourself:

  • Will you get good experience in your desired field?
  • Will you make contacts who can hire you or help you get hired elsewhere?
  • Will you have opportunities for hands-on experience that will strengthen your resume and portfolio?
  • Is there a good track record of interns going on to get jobs—with the company or elsewhere?

If the answer to most of these questions is “no,” then the unpaid gig probably isn’t worth your time—there are definitely companies out there that are just after free labor. But I participated in three unpaid internships in college, and all of them were good experiences that helped me make connections with people who I’m still in touch with—and who’ve helped me secure several jobs.

It’s important to remember that we’re in a tough job market, and when it comes to experience, knowledge, or contacts, every bit helps. As you make your choices, ask mentors, friends, or professors for guidance and support. Most importantly, enter any new role with an open mind and the awareness that it’s just one of many steps leading to your future.

Surprise! How to Handle an Unexpected Job Offer

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This post originally appeared on The Daily Muse and Forbes

Many people think that holding onto a good job in this economy is an accomplishment. So getting a job offer when you weren’t even looking? That’s a small miracle!

Well, it’s actually not—the further you progress in your career, the more people you meet and the more marketable you become to other companies. So, whether you get a call from a headhunter on LinkedIn or an offer from your old boss to work at her new company, it’s completely possible that a new job opportunity could fall in your lap unexpectedly.

A surprise offer means you need to do some serious thinking—and fast. And no matter how excited you are about the prospect or how little time you have to make a decision, the new offer shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you find yourself in this boat, here’s a run-down of what to consider before going any further.

How Long Have You Been at Your Current Job?

Even though the expectation of staying in a job for seven years is now completely passé (seriously—who came up with that rule?), tenure absolutely still matters. Depending on how long you’ve been in your current position, and how frequently you’ve moved around in your field, it might be wise to forego a new opportunity if you need to build more experience in your current role.

How Happy Are You?

Take some time to reflect on how you felt about your current job before the new offer came along. Are you generally happy? Are you challenged and learning new things? Or are you getting ready for a change in a few months anyway?

Also think about how the new job relates to your overall career plans. Is it really a good fit, or are you just tempted by the thought of something new? Think about how you’ll feel about the new opportunity a year from now—once the excitement wears off.

What Perks Will You Gain or Give Up?

Think about the perks of each gig—not just health insurance and vacation days, but the things that make your life a whole lot easier. For example, are you permitted to telecommute at your current job? Would the new office have features like day care or a cafeteria? These are the types of things we tend to forget about when we’re weighing possibilities—but they’re important factors in your overall happiness, and should be considered along with the salary and job description.

Will the New Job be Stable?

The job market is recovering, but it’s far from stable. Receiving a new job offer is an encouraging sign of a company’s performance, but look into resources like their annual report and recent press releases to get a better idea of how secure your new job would be. Also, remember that it takes time to build yourself up in a new position. If you’ve been in your current job for a while, it’s easy to look past the challenges you faced during your first months of making a name for yourself.

Is This Really the Right Time and Place?

While being pursued is nice, it’s not a reason to accept a job offer if it’s not the right one for you. Think things through as carefully as possible, and make sure you’re making a move because you want to—not because someone else wants you.

I’m also a big believer in trusting your instincts—if an opportunity feels right from all angles, it probably is. And while the new company may not give you a whole lot of time to make a decision, you will have opportunities to ask questions throughout the process. If you decide that the grass on the other side of the corporate ladder isn’t really greener, it’s completely fine to turn the offer down. After all, there might be another one just around the corner.

Which means—be prepared! Of course, you never know when a surprise offer might come your way, but there are some things you can do on a regular basis to set yourself up for success if you do want the job. Always keep your resume up-to-date, know who your references are, and have at least an idea of what types of positions you’d be open to next.

writing recess

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I get asked pretty frequently why I write. And if I think I’m any good at it. And if I’ve always liked it. I also get a lot of questions about whether I get paid to blog, and if I’m going to write a book one day. Those last two are my favorites, because they allow me fleeting lapses of a dream life where I would make millions of dollars just sitting on my couch in sweatpants, penning away my thoughts about something absurd. I always look like Salma Hayek in these daydreams.

Sometimes I answer these questions the appropriate way – the way a guest on the Oprah show would reply. Lots of flowery adjectives, emphatic head nodding and just the right amount of eye contact.

But – because I’m me – and not a guest of Ms. Winfrey, my response is more often an awkward pause, some mumbling about having a journalism degree and the stink-eye. In the interest of full disclosure – I have a VERY intense stink-eye I began mastering in fifth grade.

I guess these questions are kind of silly to me. And since I think in analogies 97-percent of the time, I will explain my answers by comparing writing to one of my dogs’ favorite activities.

I don’t presume my dogs chew bones because they are particularly good at it, and I seriously doubt they’re raking in any cash for gnawing on over-processed cowhide. Yet the very thought of the act, the hint that it is even a possibility, is enough to make them go apeshit with excitement. The prospect of doing something that they love so entirely is enough to make them wag their tails and run around in circles – forgetting anything bad that has ever happened to them. They can survive without it, but losing it would mean giving up on something that defines their existence.

That last part’s a little dramatic, I know, but at least you’re still reading. You’re almost to the end, hang on.

The point is, I write because I LOVE to. I love to express myself and share my thoughts with others. I love to process new ideas and explore feelings. And the best way for me to do all of these things is with pen and paper a keyboard. I think it’s the same release anyone feels when engaging in something that ignites a passion – whether it’s dancing, surfing or basket weaving, everyone has a thing. Mine just happens to have little-to-no appeal to the average person with free time.

I’m incredibly fortunate to work in a job that involves writing all the time. It helps me improve and challenges me in new ways all the time. But sometimes I don’t want to think about AP style or the proper placement of an apostrophe. Those are incredibly important things – that drive me absolutely crazy when neglected – but sometimes I don’t want it to be about that. I just want it to be fun. A cupcake not a souffle.

Hence, this blog. It’s my writing recess.